"We've come together as people of faith – observant Jews – to proclaim a different kind of religious voice than the one that dominates mainstream Jewish discourse," proclaimed Professor David Myers, a historian from UCLA who once served as the president of the New Israel Fund, which donates to progressive civil society organizations in Israel.

For too long, he lamented, the voice of the religious left has been sidelined. "But today, we speak aloud. In public. Not just to say 'not in our name,' but to declare that another Jewish tradition exists – one of justice, compassion, and moral clarity. A tradition that favors love, not hate; peace, not war; equality, not supremacy."

"We've come together as people of faith – observant Jews – to proclaim a different kind of religious voice than the one that dominates mainstream Jewish discourse," proclaimed Professor David Myers, a historian from UCLA who once served as the president of the New Israel Fund, which donates to progressive civil society organizations in Israel.

For too long, he lamented, the voice of the religious left has been sidelined. "But today, we speak aloud. In public. Not just to say 'not in our name,' but to declare that another Jewish tradition exists – one of justice, compassion, and moral clarity. A tradition that favors love, not hate; peace, not war; equality, not supremacy."

The conference is a noteworthy turn. Orthodox Judaism, both in the United States and Israel, has typically espoused a right-wing political orientation that includes unconditional support for Israel. Orthodox and Haredi Jews in the U.S. generally stand apart from the majority of the American Jewish community in their support for President Donald Trump and his policies regarding Israel. Five of the six parties that make up Israel’s government are either Orthodox or religious Zionist

Close to 30 Jews met recently at a private home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, sitting on borrowed folding chairs to hear Karin Loevy, an Israeli legal scholar at New York University.

But by far, the most surprising name to appear on the speaker list is that of Rabbi Yosef Blau, the longtime mashgiach ruchani (spiritual adviser) of Yeshiva University and former president of the Religious Zionists of America. This 86-year-old rabbi, in many senses, epitomizes Modern Orthodox establishment in America.

"My son wondered why I'm putting myself in a controversial position at this stage of life," he says in an interview with Haaretz. "I told him that at this stage, I can afford to be more controversial."